(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Wed 20 May 2026 17:00, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Chelsea must give Xabi Alonso their full backing if they want the Spaniard to fix their current on-pitch problems.

That is the view of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, after Alonso was appointed Chelsea manager.

Alonso has signed a four-year contract and will begin work in July, with the former Real Madrid boss facing a busy summer transfer window.

The Blues’ financial situation means player sales will be expected, whilst Alonso will look to bolster the squad following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Alonso becomes Chelsea’s third manager of the year, with the London club having already sacked Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.

Chelsea players ‘will respect’ Xabi Alonso

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Alonso will have wanted “assurances” from the Chelsea board before taking the job.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks that Chelsea have got “very lucky” in being able to hire Alonso, who was also linked with replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t think Alonso would have taken the job unless he had the right assurances.

“The owners have now got to realise they’re looking over the edge of a cliff unless this one works. And so I think they will back him. Alonso is going to be a success at Chelsea, and the whole thing will finally sort of come together.

“Alonso has the power and the image and the strength of character that’s been missing. He can command the dressing room. We all know his own career. The players will respect that.

“But Alonso’s got the depth of thought. He did a great job in Germany. And Chelsea have been very lucky to have got him. And he is the right one to fix this.”

Mass exodus of stars expected at Chelsea

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Alonso could offload six Chelsea players immediately this summer.

Alonso will be assessing his squad, and getting rid of any players that may cause issues in the dressing room.

Rosenior had to deal internally with Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella, who both speculated about their futures away from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea could be prepared to let Fernandez leave this summer, with Real Madrid interested in signing the 25-year-old.